2013 Nissan Altima
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 122 |
| 1994 | 106 |
| 1995 | 180 |
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 123 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 160 |
| 2001 | 159 |
| 2002 | 1047 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 471 |
| 2008 | 1028 |
| 2009 | 1547 |
| 2010 | 380 |
| 2011 | 241 |
| 2012 | 423 |
| 2013 | 2303 |
| 2014 | 1111 |
| 2015 | 941 |
| 2016 | 544 |
| 2017 | 382 |
| 2018 | 223 |
| 2019 | 223 |
| 2020 | 172 |
| 2021 | 67 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
22% of complaints: air bags — 512 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact's brother owned a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her brother was driving at an undisclosed speed from a stop sign, another vehicle in the left lane crashed into the contact's brother's front driver's side.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260312
I was traveling straight and made an abrupt turn. I lost control of my car and struck a pole, then hit a brick building. None of the airbags in my vehicle deployed and I hit my nose on the steering wheel and sustained other injuries.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240722
TAKATA RECALL ON AUGUST 15, 2017 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON MY WAY TO WORK IN WHICH I SWERVED SO I WOULDN'T HIT A DEER AND INSTEAD HIT A TREE DAMAGING THE FRONT MIDDLE PORTION OF MY CAR WHICH,,,TO MY SURPRISE,,,, MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND...
NHTSA ODI report, 20171124
22% of complaints: power train — 498 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
RESUMING AFTER A STOP THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH. IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THERE WERE SEVERAL STRONG JERKING MOTIONS FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN WHEN IT FULLY ENGAGED THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT A HIGHER THAN EXPECTED SPEED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130613
18% of complaints: exterior lighting — 418 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WE HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE CAR IN LIKE 10 DAYS AND TRIED STARTING IT AND IT WOULDN'T START.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171127
12% of complaints: suspension — 277 distinct reports on file.
CRASH7% of complaints: engine — 157 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power stee
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Ser
Campaign 12V494000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima vehicles manufactured March 21, 2012, through March 26, 2013. The spare tires may have been significantly over- or under-inflated.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and adjust the spare tire pressure, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 13V158000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out o
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-8
Campaign 13V069000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 14V138000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to February 28, 2013.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed.
Campaign 14V565000 — check if this car was fixed
Occupant Classification System Failure
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed.
Campaign 15V116000 — check if this car was fixed
Occupant Classification System Failure
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V486000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V681000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014.
Remedy: These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk.
Campaign 16V029000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors.
Campaign 16V244000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 16V911000 — check if this car was fixed
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an OwnerÂs Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the...
Campaign 20V315000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2013 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (512 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (498 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (418 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V494000 (steering, suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V158000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V069000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V138000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V565000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V116000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V486000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V681000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V029000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V244000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V911000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V315000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2013 Nissan Altima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Nissan Altima is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Nissan Altima?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Altima have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.